Today's NYT Strands is live for Thursday, February 26, 2026 (Puzzle #725). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Watch the attitude!"
What It Really Means
Today's theme focuses on words describing cheeky, impertinent, or sassy behavior, attitudes that push boundaries or show disrespectful boldness.
Think About...
- Words for impudent or disrespectful behavior
- Descriptions of cheeky or saucy attitudes
- Synonyms for being fresh or sassy
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Straight down then slightly to the right, continue down then to the left
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: Third letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This phrase describes responding with impertinence or defiance
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's what you do when you respond to authority with cheeky remarks
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is T, last letter is K
---
---
---
---
---
TALKINGBACK
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Describes someone who's a bit too forward or bold
Closer: Often used for cheeky remarks or impertinent behavior
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 4 letters total
Answer
PERT
Word 2
Vague: Can describe something charming but also slightly impertinent
Closer: Often used for cheeky behavior that's borderline disrespectful but still appealing
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 4 letters total
Answer
CUTE
Word 3
Vague: Describes playful, slightly disrespectful behavior
Closer: Often used for children who are being playfully impertinent
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 6 letters total
Answer
CHEEKY
Word 4
Vague: Describes a bold, impudent attitude
Closer: Often used for someone with a sharp, disrespectful wit
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SASSY
Word 5
Vague: Describes someone who's being impertinent or disrespectful
Closer: Often used for someone who's being cheeky or impudent
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 5 letters total
Answer
FRESH
Word 6
Vague: Describes a bold, impertinent attitude
Closer: Often used for cheeky remarks or disrespectful behavior
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SAUCY
Word 7
Vague: Describes blatant disrespect or boldness
Closer: The most formal word on the list for disrespectful behavior
Letter Clue: Starts with I, 8 letters total
Answer
IMPUDENT
Full Answers
Spangram: TALKINGBACK
Theme Words:
- PERT
- CUTE
- CHEEKY
- SASSY
- FRESH
- SAUCY
- IMPUDENT
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: CUTE (While commonly meaning attractive or charming, it can also describe cheeky or impertinent behavior, which might not be immediately obvious to all solvers)
Our Take: This puzzle cleverly explores the nuanced vocabulary of impertinence, with words ranging from playful (CHEEKY, SAUCY) to more formal (IMPUDENT). The theme prompt "Watch the attitude!" perfectly sets the tone for finding words that describe various shades of disrespectful boldness. The spangram TALKINGBACK ties everything together neatly, capturing the essence of responding with cheeky defiance.
